NFL Free Agency begins in just a few hours, but things have been happening in Detroit. Taylor Decker, David Montgomery, and Graham Glasgow are gone. Now is a good time to set the table ahead of free agency and do a 7-round mock draft.

Trade down with the Texans

Trading down is just the perfect thing for the Lions to do, given how many holes they’re looking to fill. In this case, I moved them down to the bottom of the first round but grabbed an extra second-round pick in the process.

Lions get: 28th and 59th picks
Texans get: 17th pick

28th pick: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

There he is. The Lions’ next right tackle. Yes, I’m saying right tackle because with Taylor Decker gone, moving Penei Sewell to left tackle is the move Detroit should make. It’s much easier to find your next right tackle than it is to find your next left tackle. Miller fits the Lions like a glove. He has an attitude and work ethic very similar to Frank Ragnow’s. This dude will get a knee surgery and then play the next week. He’s that kind of guy. A Dan Campbell type of guy. Also, he’s good at football.

50th pick: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

The Lions get their next big thing on the edge with Young. He put up 57 pressures and eight sacks last year. On top of that, he was one of the best run-stopping edges in the nation in 2025. His 86.6 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus was seventh in the country among edge rushers and 11th among all defensive linemen.

69th pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh

Yes, I’m going with Louis to the Lions again. He is my guy this year, much like Chris Paul was last year, and Sione Vaki was the year before. Louis has flown up the boards in the last few weeks, and now it wouldn’t be a shock to see him go in the late second or early third.

118th pick: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

With David Montgomery gone, the Lions will look to find their next RB2. Why not grab a guy whose comp is David Montgomery? Seriously, watch him play. You’d think you were seeing the Iowa State version of Montgomery. He contributes right away.

128th pick: Bud Clark, S, TCU

The Lions met with Clark at the combine a couple of weeks ago, and you can see why when you look at what he did in 2025. Six pass breakups, four interceptions, and strong run defense and coverage grades.

156th pick: Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati

With DJ Reader and Roy Lopez possibly moving on, the Lions can score a nose tackle who cannot only stop the run, but is a strong pass rusher as well. A rotation with Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams and Corleone would be tough.

Trade up with the Panthers

Taking a page out of my pal Colton Pouncy from The Athletics’ book. Brad Holmes makes sure everyone gets to go home early on day 3 to prepare for the UDFA rush. Also, they happen to be making this move up for a good player.

Lions get: 162nd pick
Panthers get: 181st, 205th, and 22nd picks

162nd pick: Jadon Canady, CB, Oregon

The Lions get one of the better slot corners in the draft. Canady allowed a passer rating of just 41.8 last year. On top of the strong coverage he brought, he was also a staunch run defender and even brought a little pass rush help to the Ducks.